Mitochondrial dysfunction in antiphospholipid syndrome: implications in the pathogenesis of the disease and effects of coenzyme Q10 treatment

Abstract

Abstract The exact mechanisms underlying the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and the prothrombotic or proinflammatory status of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) remain unknown. Here, we investigate the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in the proatherothrombotic status of APS patients induced by IgG-antiphospholipid antibodies and the beneficial effects of supplementing cells with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). A significant increase in relevant prothrombotic and inflammatory parameters in 43 APS patients was found compared with 38 healthy donors. Increased peroxide production, nuclear abundance of Nrf2, antioxidant enzymatic activity, decreased intracellular glutathione, and altered mitochondrial membrane potential were found in monocytes and neutrophils from APS patients. Accelerated atherosclerosis in APS patients was found associated with their inflammatory or oxidative status. CoQ10 preincubation of healthy monocytes before IgG-antiphospholipid antibody treatment decreased oxidative stress, the percentage of cells with altered mitochondrial membrane potential, and the induced expression of tissue factor, VEGF, and Flt1. In addition, CoQ10 significantly improved the ultrastructural preservation of mitochondria and prevented IgG-APS–induced fission mediated by Drp-1 and Fis-1 proteins. In conclusion, the oxidative perturbation in APS patient leukocytes, which is directly related to an inflammatory and pro-atherothrombotic status, relies on alterations in mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism that may be prevented, reverted, or both by treatment with CoQ10.